Again, I am terribly sorry for not updating for a very long time. I was sucked in a big black hole named "College: Senior Year". I have just finished my mid-year exams a few days ago and I am trying to keep up with what I missed.

Chapter 11: His Rival:

Isabella stayed at her chamber all day. She lied in bed and curled into a ball; she didn't have the power or the will to move. She just lied there, holding the pillow close to her and crying bitterly. She missed Daniel so much. She hated being touched by any man other than him. Isabella was one of the most beautiful young women in her village. Since she turned 16 years old, many young men proposed to her but she always refused. She wanted to keep herself for the man who would own her heart, and that man was Daniel.

Darken walked to the court room. He needed to clear his mind after what happened. He decided to dig himself in work. Being rejected by a woman wasn't an option for him, and yet, he didn't feel angry with Isabella for doing so. He reached the court room to find Egremont there with three officers discussing some issues regarding the soldiers' training. Once he entered the room and they bowed to him, he signed to the officers to leave and turned to Egremont.

"I have a task for you, Egremont."

"At your service, my lord." Egremont said quietly.

"I need you to assign a qualified officer for a task."

"May I ask, what is the task, my lord?"

"I need that officer to go to Carden. I want him to gather all information about a man named Daniel. I don't know his last name, but he lived there and he owned a stable. He was married to a young woman named Isabella Knight."

Egremont opened his mouth to ask but he didn't. In the past few days, lord Rahl didn't like anyone to question him about anything. "Of course, my lord. If you allow me...I will choose a trustworthy soldier that is discrete and will accomplish the task successfully."

Rahl said, "Alright. Choose your man and send him as quick as possible." Egremont bowed silently and left.

Darken walked to the huge window and looked at the garden. He smirked and said, "Let's see who are you, Mr. Daniel."

Egremont was sitting in his office. He was thinking about Rahl's latest behaviors. "Isabella Knight", he thought. He knew that the young woman that was brought lately by the mord-siths was called Isabella. It must have been her, and it seemed that she was married to that man, Daniel, but why Rahl wanted to know about him? Egremont couldn't stop himself from getting worried, but he had no other choice but recline to the wishes of his lord. He cleared his throat and called one of the guards.

"General", the guard bowed.

"Fitch soldier Aarons. I need to meet with him immediately." Egremont said.

Two days later, Darken was sitting at the court room, talking to Mistress Heather who insisted on meeting with him.

"So, mistress Heather, what is that important matter that you needed to discuss with me immediately?"

"We need new girls, my lord." she said calmly.

Darken took a few steps forward and said with a sarcastic smile, "Of course, mistress. When my mord-siths start growing weak, then consequently I will be in desperate need of new ones."

"My lord, I already told you that the accident with that woman was an individual case, and it was..."

"It was a warning for me...a message that I should start taking some drastic measures. You have been growing weak since I left." he said in a dark voice.

This time, Heather couldn't control her anger. "All of that anger and exasperation because of that...whore that we brought?" Suddenly, Heather felt a firm grip around her neck; it was Darken's hand.

"It seems that you have forgotten your manners, Heather. You are speaking to your master."

Heather couldn't say a word; she was suffocating. Darken kept his firm grip around her neck for a few more moments before letting her go. Heather fell on her knees, with both her hands on her bruised neck and coughing violently while breathing fast; her lungs were longing for air.

"This is your last mistake, Mistress Heather. You ran out of chances...completely." Heather raised her head to look at him.

"Next time...you definitely won't like my reaction." and then he bent down near her and said in a low voice, "It will be more painful than your training when you were just a little girl...scared and filthy." Heather couldn't look at his eyes, she was scared of him, and so she looked down.

"My lord"

Darken turned his head to find Egremont standing at the door. He slowly stood up like nothing happened. "Is there anything?"

Egremont cleared his throat and said, "I need to speak with you, my lord."

Darken signed for him to enter, and without looking at her he ordered, "Leave."

Heather pitifully stood up, bowed to her lord and left in a hurry.

Darken turned to Egremont and said, "What is it, Egremont?"

"The task you ordered...It's been accomplished."

Darken paid full attention and said, "And?"

"I sent a soldier to Carden and he gathered all information about that man."

Darken seemed impatient, so Egremont quickly continued, "His name is Daniel Woods. He is mainly from the city of Fydel. His parents are dead. He moved to Carden about six years ago. He was married to a young woman, from Carden residents, named Isabella Knight, and that was four years ago. He owned a big stable in Carden where he lived with his wife. They both used to run the stable and the inn she inherited from her parents. They had a very successful business. A year ago, He got sick; he had fever and it was severe. His condition was so bad and healers couldn't help him. A week later, he passed away and was buried in the graveyard of his wife's family. That's all we could get because he was raised in another city and people don't know a lot about him before his arrival to Carden." Then he paused for a few moments before saying, "But his wife must know everything about him."

Darken looked at Egremont plainly, and Egremont wished he could take his words back. He swore to himself that he wouldn't bring that young woman into a discussion with Rahl but the words just slipped out of his mouth.

It was past mid-night and still Darken couldn't sleep. This "Daniel Woods" was causing a lot of anger inside him. Being a dead man didn't ease the anger that was arousing in Darken's mind and chest. He couldn't know why he was feeling that, but right now all what mattered to him is how to get closer to that young lady who locked herself in her chamber two days ago and refused to emerge from it. He knew for sure that it was going to be a very tough task, maybe harder than serving the Keeper. She was his new Alma, and he wasn't going to let her go like he was forced to let his old lover go. He wouldn't give up and he would seize this opportunity to be happy again.

Darken threw the covers, he was totally annoyed. He wanted to see her immediately. So, he got up and left his chamber, determined to go and see her no matter what happened. He walked to her chamber that wasn't far from his. Once he reached her door, he silently opened it and stopped there for a while. He wasn't sure if it was right to enter or not. He was going to start a nice plan to approach that little fairy that soon would be his, and he didn't want to mess things up. But he couldn't resist his urge to get close and watch her while she was asleep.

Carefully, he stepped in and closed the door quietly, then turned to look at her. In the middle of the queen size bed, Isabella lied, covered with red covers that were lined with golden strips, and her long silky black hair was lying on the red pillow, surrounding her beautiful face, and making a color contrast that's unmistakable even in the faint light of the candles that illuminated the room. She was wearing a simple green night dress with no sleeves. Darken took a few steps forward; he was so anxious to get closer. Finally, he reached the edge of the bed, and from his position, he could see Isabella's face and he frowned; her face was pale, and her eyes –though they were closed- seemed swollen. He was sure she spent the last two days crying after their encounter in the garden. Did she really hate his touch? Was she thinking of Daniel and crying him? Was she crying because she wanted to go home? NO! He can't let her return back to her house. He can't let go of her.

Darken watched her for a while, before sitting on the edge of the bed near her. She looked so peaceful in her sleep...so calm and so beautiful, and her lips, they seemed to draw him in. Oh…how much he loved how her lips tasted. He wanted to taste them again but she didn't allow him. Darken could only think of Daniel and how lucky he was to have such a woman; beautiful, sweet, composed, strong, brave, rebellious and spontaneous. In one word: Unique.

Darken leaned his head against the bed frame and closed his eyes. He never forgot how lucky he was, too, when he had Alma by his side, when he was just a normal person, a prince and heir to a powerful kingdom, waiting to announce his love for a high-class young lady, and preparing himself to be the king. If only his father has believed in him and tried to help him, maybe things would have been better, maybe he wouldn't have been that cruel ruler that everyone feared and hated, and maybe he wouldn't have been forced to serve the Keeper to save himself. Darken was lost in his own thoughts and without noticing, his eyes felt so heavy and he was drifted to sleep...

"No...no, please, don't take her. No, please."

Darken was startled by those words. He opened his eyes and blinked for a few moments to recognize where he was; he was still in Isabella's chamber and he fell...Oh, no! He fell asleep next to her and...

"Please, I beg you, don't take her." Darken turned to the source of the voice. Isabella was murmuring in her sleep. He looked at her and narrowed his eyes. She was dreaming and talking in her sleep, but what was she talking about?

"No, let her go. No, DON'T TOUCH HER." Isabella shouted.

Darken stared at her in surprise, what was she dreaming about? He thought of waking her up but didn't know if it was a good idea; if she woke up and found that he was in her chamber, that would make his task tougher, but another look at her face made him take a decision; her forehead was sweating like she had a fever and she was breathing hardly. He slowly stretched his hand and shook her slightly, "Isabella".

Isabella was still drowning in her dream, her lips were shaking, her breaths were short and rapid, like she was running or crying, and she was murmuring with words that Darken couldn't get. He could only hear the word "sick". This time, he got closer to her, shook her strongly but not harshly, "Isabella, wake up. Wake up."

Suddenly, Isabella woke up, startled. She got up, looking around in fear and breathing hardly. Her eyes were wide, she looked terrified. She kept looking around the chamber in panic and when her eyes fell on Darken, it was like she couldn't see him, like he wasn't there; she just kept looking around her frantically. Darken looked at her, confused, was she still asleep? He touched her arm and shook her a little strongly and said in a quite loud voice, "Isabella, wake up now." Isabella then stopped looking around the chamber, stared at him for a few moments, her face was plain, then suddenly she burst into tears. Darken stood up and looked at her. He didn't know what just happened, and he also didn't know what to do. She was crying heavily, burying her face in her hands and resting them on her knees. He sighed and –slowly- sat on the edge of the bed again and stretched his hand and put it on her head. Isabella felt the touch and snapped her head, looking at him with her swollen eyes. He knew he would regret it later, but he couldn't stop himself from feeling sorry for her; she looked terrible; with her red eyes that were full of fear and her trembling body. She buried her face in her hands again and kept weeping. What could possibly happen to her that caused such remorse and sadness? He couldn't help but touch her hand and when she didn't take it back or flinch, he found himself pulling her closer to him and resting her head on his shoulder. Again, to his surprise, she didn't flinch or try to move away from him. Actually, she seemed drawn to her own sadness that she almost didn't know that he was even there.

Darken took a deep breath and swept her long hair with his hand while tapping her shoulder with the other hand. He could find nothing better to do; she was still crying bitterly and nothing seemed to calm her down. He knew she wasn't dreaming about Daniel, she was talking about someone she lost; a female. Her mother? A sister? Or maybe a daughter? But she told him she had no children and that was clearly confirmed by the officer who was sent to her village. Then who was that person that his loss was causing so much pain to her?

Darken looked down at her face, her eyes were closed like she was asleep, but she was still crying. He gently stroked her hand and said in a low voice, "Isabella". She was still for a few moments, then she said, still her eyes were closed, "They killed her." and then, without another word, she lifted her head up, and turned on the other side of the bed, put her head on the pillow and fell asleep. She didn't even look at Darken.

Darken watched her for a few moments, then he said in a low voice, "What a mystery you are, Isabella. A mystery I intend to reveal." He watched her for a while; she seemed to be sleeping peacefully; no nightmares and no crying and her breaths were regular and normal. Darken covered her and got up; it was time to go back to his chamber. He walked to the door and before he opened it, he stopped for a moment, and then he turned around and looked at the sleeping young woman in front of him. For the second time that night, he knew he was about to do something that he would regret later, but he couldn't resist. He quietly walked back to the bed, sat down on the edge, and before he could have a second thought, he lied down and closed his eyes.

Darken could never deny that it was one of the calmest nights he ever had. Although he slept very late, but he felt refreshed when he woke up a while after sunrise. He opened his eyes slowly, looked around for a few moments before realizing where he was; he was still in Isabella's chamber. Then he remembered what happened last night. He turned his head on the other side of the bed and there she was; she was still asleep. Her right hand was right under the pillow while the other hand was stretched next to her, almost touching his arm.

Darken stretched his hand to touch her cheek and involuntarily his fingers moved to touch her lips, but before he could touch them, Isabella stirred, so he –quickly- drew his hand and was about to raise himself and sit but she has already opened her eyes slowly and when her sleepy eyes fell on him, she jumped like she was bitten by a snake and gasped sharply, then she pulled the covers tightly around her body.

"What are you doing here?", she asked in a shaky voice.

"I...Don't you remember what happened last night?", he said, trying to sound indifferent.

"What?", she said in a low voice.

"Last night, you were..."

"What happened last night? You did...we didn't...", she was talking rapidly and she looked like she was going to faint. She was freaking out and he knew what she was thinking about.

"You were having a bad dream and you woke up crying." he said, trying to explain.

"And you heard me crying right from your chamber?" she said in disbelief.

"I wasn't in my chamber; I was walking in the corridor when I heard you crying."

"So you decided to come into my chamber and sleep next to me?!" she shouted, clutching the covers over her body.

Darken was silent. He knew that even if he had an excuse to come into her chamber in such a late hour of the night, how would he explain why he slept next to her in the same bed? So instead he cleared his throat and said, "I don't think you are in a position to question me, young lady."

"So now..."

"NOW… you should try harder to compose yourself while you are around me." Isabella didn't respond, she turned her head and looked away, still shaking.

"Whether you like it or not, I am still lord Rahl; your lord, as well as all D'Hara."

"Never." She looked at him with a defiant look.

"Stop testing my patience, Mrs. Woods. This might end in a way that you definitely won't enjoy." and he turned to leave.

"How did you know?" she asked, puzzled.

Darken turned to face her and raised his eyebrow, "Because I know what I am capable of."

"How did you know my name? I never told you my husband's last name." she said, narrowing her eyes.

Darken felt he was caught off guard. He kept it inside him and took a few steps forward and said, "For the second time, MRS. WOODS, I am reminding you that I am the master here not you, and I am the only one who has the absolute right to ask any questions ... not you."

"But I guess I have the right to ask one question."

"And what would that question be, Mrs. Woods?"

He knew that calling her with her husband's last name would upset her, and right now, he was enjoying teasing her.

"When can I go home?" she said calmly.

Darken raised his chin and said, "When I decide." and before she could argue, he turned and left the chamber in a hurry.

Darken descended the stairs fast, and once he reached the court room he slammed the door shut and walked to his throne but didn't sit on it. He put his hand on the back of the throne and took a deep breath. Did he just make things worse? Should he stop acting nice and take her by force? No, he never did that, besides, he was planning for something that could last longer than just a few nights. There was also that nightmare; who was that person she was dreaming about? Everything about that girl was weird, even sending a spy to her village didn't help a lot. Darken felt he was lost and he didn't like that feeling, so he slowly sat on the throne and rested his chin on his fingers, and then he said, "You are not going home any time soon, until I know who you really are, Isabella."

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter. Tell me what you think of it so far. Reviews are always welcome.